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Tips for Sitting Comfortably After a Thigh Lift

A thigh lift is a cosmetic surgery that reshapes a person’s thighs in an attempt to improve their appearance. As with many plastic surgery procedures, the recovery period following your procedure is just as important as the procedure itself. How you navigate this period can mean the difference between receiving the results you want and needing to get revision surgery. In the case of a thigh lift, this may mean learning to sit comfortably in the immediate period following your procedure. In this article, we share tips for sitting comfortably after a thigh lift so you can get the most from your procedure.

 

What is a Thigh Lift? 

A thigh lift is a surgical procedure where a physician manipulates the excess skin and muscles of the thighs to give them a tighter and smoother appearance. This surgery is particularly popular with those who have recently undergone significant weight loss and are experiencing sagging skin in their thighs.

 

Tips for Sitting Comfortably After a Thigh Lift

There are some steps you can take to ensure that you will be more comfortable following a thigh lift procedure. Take heed of the following steps:

 

Avoid Prolonged Sitting

During the first few weeks following your procedure, you will need to avoid sitting for prolonged periods. Doing so can impact your results and inhibit the healing process that will assist your thighs with recovering from the surgery. It is normal for an individual to experience some level of discomfort in the initial period following their surgery, which may inhibit their ability to sit for long periods.

 

Stick to Bed for The First Week

Another pro tip for making your post-surgical period more comfortable is to get plenty of bed rest in the period following your procedure. Part of this process will include wearing compression garments that are given to you in this period. During this period and your surgeon’s specific method of completing the thigh lift, they may advise you to avoid resting heavily on the sides or bottoms of your thighs to avoid negatively impacting your results.

 

Be Patient 

It does take several weeks for an individual to fully recover from a thigh lift. In general, someone can expect to take around 4 to 6 weeks for their results to settle in and to stop experiencing some of the initial side effects of their surgery. In addition, many factors of an individual’s physiology can impact the overall scope of their recovery period. You can discuss with your physician prior to your procedure whether they think that you might experience any extenuating circumstances regarding your healing period.

 

Be Careful Getting Out of Bed 

You will likely spend a lot of time in bed recovering following your procedure. During this period, you will need to take increased care when you get in and out of bed. Your physician will likely recommend that you avoid using your upper body or your legs to push yourself up. It is generally recommended that you roll to your side to sit or stand in order to diminish the amount of impact that is incurred on your thighs when making these movements.

 

Be Careful When Using the Bathroom

You may need to take some care when you go to the bathroom in the initial period following the completion of your procedure. In the first couple of days, you may need to have someone assist you with walking to and using the bathroom. Although this may seem troublesome, you likely will not have to engage with this beyond the first couple of days after your procedure.

 

Talk With Your Physician 

You should feel comfortable talking with your physician about any aspect of your recovery process. Because everyone’s body is unique, you may have special circumstances that your physician can guide you through in terms of maximizing your recovery period and ensuring that you receive the best results possible. Sharing as much information as you can with them during this period is essential for unlocking the potential.

 

The Top Choice in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc. is a top resource for plastic surgery in Beverly Hills. If you are interested in discussing your plans for a thigh lift with an esteemed professional, contact us today to set up an appointment.

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Does Breast Reduction Leave Scars?

Breast reduction is a plastic surgery procedure that reduces the overall size of an individual’s breasts. This surgery can have a huge positive impact on a person who is facing issues like back pain and sleeping difficulties as a result of their chest size. Though the surgery can improve a person’s well-being, many still have questions about the side effects of this procedure. Specifically, prospective patients ask questions such as “Does breast reduction leave scars?”.

If you have a breast reduction surgery planned and are worried about the scarring you might incur, take a look at this guide that can help you navigate this element of the procedure.

What is Breast Reduction?

Breast reduction refers to a surgery that reduces the size of one’s breasts. People undergo the procedure for a range of cosmetic, medical, and functional reasons. The surgery can be performed for males or females.

Does Breast Reduction Leave Scars?

Most breast reduction procedures will leave some scarring. These scars form along the lines of incisions that your physician will make to access your breast fat. These incision lines will become scar tissue that differentiates from your natural skin tone. Still, there is a high level of variability in relation to the look of the scars that form after your surgery. The look of your breast reduction scars will depend on the following factors:

  • The type of breast reduction procedure performed
  • Your breast size
  • Your breast shape and symmetry
  • The scale of your breast reduction

Will Breast Reduction Scars Fade Naturally?

Many patients find that their breast reduction scars do significantly fade over time. Although every patient has a unique recovery timeline, the following benchmarks are generally accurate:

  • Six weeks: For the first six weeks following your procedure, you will have bandages over your surgical site. Your physician will provide some guidelines advising you when to remove your bandages. In this initial period, your scars may be quite noticeable.
  • Six months: Within the first six months of your procedure, your scars will still likely be quite noticeable. You will not need a bandage to cover your scars at this point. The inflammation surrounding the scarred parts of your breasts will likely have significantly subsided at this point.
  • One year: Within one year of your initial procedure, you should find that most of the scarring you have experienced has subsided. The slightly off-colored scars may still be visible to a small degree.

Habits to Avoid

Some activities may exacerbate the formation of breast reduction scars on the body. The following activities should be avoided in order to reduce the chance of making your breast reduction scars worse:

  • Scratching your scars
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol intake
  • Sun exposure

In addition, you should take steps to ensure that your surgical site and scars remain clean and free of interfering factors in the first several weeks following your procedure. Keep an eye on any excess swelling or pain that arises that seems beyond the scope of what your doctor says is expected.

Treating Breast Reduction Scars

There are several treatments available for eliminating or heavily reducing the presence of breast reduction scars. The following are effective scar removal options:

  • Silicone ointment
  • Corticosteroid injections
  • Laser skin resurfacing
  • Massage
  • Laser treatments
  • Creams and ointments

You should discuss with your physician which of these treatments would work best for your particular situation.

There are some risks inherent in attempting to reduce or remove breast reduction scars. Your physician may warn you about the following:

  • Further skin discoloration
  • Itching
  • Peeling skin
  • Numbness
  • Injection site pain

Considering these risks can help you determine whether eliminating these scars is ultimately in your best interest. Your physician can advise you on your risk for side effects based on your medical profile.

Your Best Option in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc. is widely regarded as one of the best celebrity plastic surgeons in California. If you would like to discuss a breast reduction procedure with a professional, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

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Can You Finance a Brow Lift?

Having a brow lift can make a tremendous difference in one’s appearance. However, the price tag of the procedure can be significant. This especially holds true for working with a skilled surgeon. Like most services, you get what you pay for. However, the up-front price may be prohibitive for some patients who could truly benefit from the procedure. So, can you finance a brow lift?

How Much Does a Brow Lift Typically Cost?

Based on surveys, the cost of a brow lift can range from $325 to $16,775. Right away, we will tell you that you want to stay away from a brow lift that costs only a few hundred dollars. Price tags that look too good to be true have a tendency of indeed living up to that suspicion.

While an experienced surgeon may offer deals during the off-season, it is not unusual for a surgeon to maintain a consistent price for their services. Cosmetic surgeons spend years honing their craft. If they value their ability, then it tends to reflect in the cost.

Price Tag Does Not Always Reflect Quality

That said, a more expensive brow lift does not always mean a better one. Some surgeons certainly will charge beyond the quality of their skill. When choosing your brow lift surgeon, cost should only serve as a single factor.

Look for patient reviews, especially ones that seem buried beneath a slurry of five-star ones. See what patient satisfaction with the surgeon’s brow lift actually looks like. Also, check multiple sources. Look at Google Reviews, Yelp, and medical-specific sites like Healthgrades.

Can You Finance a Brow Lift?

So, you have found a surgeon with good reviews. However, the cost of surgery may stand a few steps outside the range you can pay upfront. What do you do?

Fortunately, many financing options exist for plastic surgery, including brow lifts. Some surgeons may offer financing directly through their clinic’s programs. Others may work with established financing institutions like CareCredit.

Some institutions offer medical loans, which serve a similar purpose as financing.

Does Financing Include Interest?

Again, this can vary according to the program. Some brow lift financing options may start with a 0% interest rate over a set period. Beyond that period, there may be a varied interest rate. For example, CareCredit can often offer no interest for 6 to 12 months, followed by a fixed 14.9% rate for up to 60 months.

We recommend carefully reading the conditions of your financing option.

How to Decide on Financing Your Brow Lift

When choosing to finance your brow lift, we recommend considering a few factors. After your consultation, your brow lift surgeon can provide you with an estimate of the cost. You can use this to evaluate your financing options.

Payment Rate: Look at the expected monthly payments. Do these fall within the range of payments you can make? Would you have to cut back on other expenditures to afford it?
Interest Rate: Even a fraction of interest will mean your final brow lift cost will be higher than the one quote. However, a reasonable interest rate is worth this extra cost because it lightens the financial burden. Avoid high interest rates that could see you locked into payments.
Personal Goals: If your appearance is causing significant stress, then a brow lift can prove worth it. Take time to consider how you feel and what goals you have.

Is Financing a Brow Lift Worth It?

The results of a brow lift can not only stun but can last for years to a lifetime. Plastic surgery is an investment in yourself and your confidence. For many people, directing substantial financial resources toward surgery can prove a smart investment.

However, we recommend taking a careful look at your finances. Committing to a brow lift can bring lasting benefits. But it might not be worth it if your financing solution causes you additional stress. Take your time to decide, and look for a financing program that has honest rates that fall within your financial range.

Also, you can consider alternative treatments. Nonsurgical brow lift treatments can prove more affordable upfront while still producing stunning results. However, these results are not permanent. So, you may need to weigh the benefits of each approach.

A Brow Lift With the Best

At Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc, patients can work with a celebrity plastic surgeon with years of experience. They offer flexible financing options for a brow lift and other surgeries.

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Most Popular Plastic Surgeries for Men

Plastic surgery is often thought of as a medical field that primarily serves women. However, more and more men are opting to receive plastic surgery treatment to achieve the appearance that they feel best represents their inner self. Below, we cover the most popular plastic surgeries for men.

Many different plastic surgery procedures are available for men, and it can be overwhelming to decide on one to pursue. Knowing which ones are popular can help you narrow down which ones would serve you best.

If you’re interested in receiving a male plastic surgery treatment and don’t know where to start, take a look at this overview of some of the most popular treatments requested.

Men and Plastic Surgery

In some ways, for a long time, it has been somewhat taboo for men to consider modifying their appearance medically. Thankfully

The Most Popular Plastic Surgeries for Men

Plastic surgery has increased in popularity for men in recent years. There are particular surgeries that are frequently requested across demographics from men. Some of the following are considered mainstay surgeries for men interested in improving their appearance:

Chin and Jaw Implants

These types of procedures are popular with men due to their ability to increase the masculine qualities of a man’s face and jawline. A successful jaw implant can make a man’s jawline appear stronger and more pronounced. Most patients will be able to see the full effects of their jaw implant within two to three weeks following their procedure.

Rhinoplasty

A rhinoplasty is another prevalent plastic surgery procedure for men. Rhinoplasty is the technical term for a nose job, a plastic surgery procedure designed to modify the appearance of one’s nose. This includes reducing or augmenting the size of one’s nose, as well as making adjustments to its shape and overall appearance.

Rhytidectomy

Also known as a facelift, this type of procedure is designed to counteract some of the common impacts of aging. This includes reducing the presence of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as tightening and smoothing the skin of the face. A facelift can potentially be combined with other types of plastic surgery procedures. Ask your physician about potential combinations if this is something that you’re interested in.

Brow Lift

This procedure pulls the skin of the forehead tighter to reduce the presence of wrinkles and creases in the skin of the upper face. This type of procedure also has the potential to correct drooping eyebrows and “hooded” eyelids. Like a rhytidectomy, a brow lift can be successfully combined with other plastic surgery procedures to give a patient a more comprehensive update in terms of their appearance.

Breast Reduction

Gynecomastia is a term that refers to a condition that can cause swelling and breast enlargement in men. Male breast reduction reduces the swelling caused by this condition. It can give men a more masculine appearance in their chest area. This procedure is effective at removing most of the excess fat and tissue that may be contributing to the enlargement of the breasts.

Abdominoplasty

Abdominoplasty gives patients a sleeker and slimmer appearance in their midriff area. During an abdominoplasty, a physician will manipulate the skin and muscles in the abdominal area to give a patient a more toned look. This type of procedure is commonly performed on patients who have recently lost a significant amount of weight.

Eyelid Surgery

Also known as blepharoplasty, this plastic surgery adjusts the appearance of the eyelids for either medical or aesthetic reasons. Several types of eyelid surgeries can be performed, including the following:

  • Upper eyelid surgery
  • Lower eyelid surgery
  • Double eyelid surgery

Upper eyelid surgeries and lower eyelid surgeries refer to their respective nominal eyelids. Double blepharoplasty aims to modify elements of the Asian eyelid. It is becoming increasingly popular in North America.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a body sculpting technique that can give a patient a more refined and slimmer appearance. Also, liposuction manipulates the muscles and fat of the target area to create a new appearance in this area. Contrary to popular belief, liposuction does not actually involve weight loss.

The Best Plastic Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. is dedicated to offering the patients of Beverly Hills and beyond the best in all types of plastic surgery. If you’re looking to have some work done and need some guidance in terms of what you’re looking for from a cosmetic surgeon, contact us today to review your options from popular plastic surgeries for men.

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How Common Is Seroma After Cosmetic Surgery?

A seroma is a condition that describes a post-surgical phenomenon where fluids begin to accumulate under the skin at the site of surgery. Seroma is quite common after both medical and cosmetic surgery. Informing yourself about the risk of a seroma can help you be more adequately prepared should it come up. Seromas can be medically serious in certain situations. Take a look at this overview of this post-surgical condition, which may help you understand how it relates to cosmetic body surgery.

 

√What Is a Seroma?

A seroma is a build-up of natural fluids or healing tissue in the body that has the potential to develop after any surgery or serious medical procedure. Seromas are a natural healing response of the body in response to the physical trauma of surgery. Seromas are not typically medically hazardous but are nevertheless unpleasant and desirable to avoid.

 

How Common Is Seroma After Cosmetic Surgery?

It is quite common for a patient to develop a seroma after cosmetic surgery. In fact, these lumps have the potential to form after any invasive surgery. The surgeries that most commonly provoke the development of seromas include BBLs (Brazilian Butt Lifts) and tummy tucks. Other common surgeries that provoke seromas include:

  • Hernia repair
  • Abdominoplasty
  • Breast augmentation
  • Liposuction

Although seromas are not typically considered medically dangerous, they carry a risk for infection and can interfere with the body’s healing process after surgery. For these reasons, your physician may opt to drain a large seroma that has become infected.

 

Why Do Seromas Develop?

Seromas remain a natural risk of any invasive surgery due to their nature as part of the body’s healing response. That said, there are some elements of a surgery that can increase the risk of developing a seroma:

  • Utilizing low-vacuum drains
  • The use of electrocautery when closing skin flaps over the surgical wound
  • Excessive movement or strain directly following surgery
  • Removing drain tubes from the surgical site too abruptly following surgery

In addition, larger-scale surgeries and surgeries that take more extended periods to complete have been shown to increase the overall risk of developing a seroma.

 

When Should I Seek Assistance?

Staying aware of the signs of infection in a seroma can help you avoid dangerous situations and further medical expenses down the line. Keep an eye out for the following signs that your seroma may have become infected:

  • Fever
  • A rapid increase in swelling
  • Pain
  • Increased heart rate
  • White or bloody drainage surrounding the seroma
  • Confusion
  • Blood pressure changes

You can discuss with your physician prior to your procedure whether or not they think that you are at particular risk for developing a seroma following your surgery. This can help you know whether you should anticipate needing to bear with one.

 

Treating a Seroma

Many seromas will disappear on their own accord as the body naturally reabsorbs the fluids that have accumulated in them. The use of certain anti-inflammatories or over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, may, on occasion, augment this process.

Large seromas that have become infected or are causing pain can be drained and removed by your surgeon. If your surgeon opts to drain the seroma, they will remove the fluid using a syringe. Surgically removing a seroma involves a very mild excision of the lump.

 

Preventing the Development of Seromas

There are some steps that you and your doctor can take to attempt to prevent the development of seromas. One common preemptive step involves the use of surgical drainage systems that attempt to drain excess fluid from the surgical site, thus preventing the development of seromas.

In addition, compression garments are commonly utilized to help the skin and tissue of the surgical site heal faster and more effectively. This, in turn, can help to deter the development of seromas at the surgical site.

Preventing seromas is preferable, but it is important to note that, in most cases, these growths are not medically serious or dangerous. Often, patience is all that’s required as your body engages in its natural healing process.

 

The Best Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Dr. Gabriel Chiu is a board-certified surgeon dedicated to offering his clients in Beverly Hills the highest level of treatment available. If you are interested in discussing plastic surgery with a professional, contact our cosmetic surgery center today.

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How Long Does an Arm Lift Procedure Take?

An arm lift is a highly efficacious procedure that can leave a patient with a marked improvement to their arms. This is one of the reasons that the procedure has taken off in recent years.

However, like with most invasive plastic surgery procedures, it is important to educate yourself on the details of the procedure in order to maximize your results. In the case of an arm lift, this includes how much time you should plan to spend at the clinic.

If you have an arm lift planned, take a look at this guide that can help you determine how long your procedure is going to take.

What Is an Arm Lift?

An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a type of plastic surgery procedure that tightens the skin of the arms around itself, thus creating a taugther and more sleek appearance to the section of the arm that is targeted. The procedure acts mostly as an aesthetic procedure designed to improve people’s appearance.

How Long Does an Arm Lift Procedure Take?

There is some variability in terms of how long you can expect an arm lift procedure to take. Part of this will be contingent on the exact amount of skin and muscle that will be adjusted throughout the course of your procedure.

However, most patients can expect that their brachioplasty will take about two to three hours from start to finish. Understanding this can help you plan accordingly for the procedural and recovery period that you will inevitably go through.

What Occurs During a Brachioplasty?

In a brachioplasty, you firstly will be placed under general anesthesia to ensure that you do not feel any discomfort from your procedure. However, this adds a hurdle to some who are seeking the procedure due to the complex interaction of general anesthesia with the body. This will be discussed with your physician prior to your procedure taking place.
During the procedure, your physician will remove some fat and an elliptical segment of skin from the inner back side of your arm. After this, they will readjust the skin in this part of the body to ensure a tighter and more sleek appearance.

Following the readjustment of the skin, compression garments will be applied to help control the swelling that will occur at the surgical site. Most patients will be able to resume more or less normal activities within a few days and strenuous activities within a few weeks.

Am I a Good Candidate for Brachioplasty?

In order to make a good candidate for a brachioplasty, one needs to be physically fit enough to withstand some of the stresses of surgery and anesthesia. This means that interested candidates will have to undergo a medical exam before any actual work is done.

Should you be found to be physically fit enough to undergo surgery, you likely will be approved by your physician for the procedure. In addition, they may go over the exact set of expectations you should keep for the procedure, as, in general, it’s beneficial for a patient to keep an idea of their procedure as accurate as possible.

Overall, most patients who are interested should find themselves approved barring any serious health concerns. Should you have a condition that might interfere with the procedure, it’s possible that you’ll need to undergo additional testing before you’re approved for work?

Brachioplasty vs Liposuction

If you have excess arm skin or fat that does not appear loose, then your physician may recommend that you combine a brachioplasty with liposuction in order to achieve the results you’re looking for. This is because liposuction can be somewhat more effective at working with certain combinations of skin and fat than brachioplasty.

A combination brachioplasty/liposuction procedure may involve a sturdier medical examination period than just for either of the procedures. Should you be approved, however, there’s a strong chance that you might find that the combination procedure can give you a more accurate set of results than what you initially expected.

In addition, the combination procedure may also save you some time and money in the long run if you had thought of doing either procedure separately. Talk with your physician regarding the details of this.

The Best Arm Lift in Beverly Hills

BHPSI is one of the best resources available for receiving a quality arm lift in Southern California. If you’re interested in discussing your plans for surgery with a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, contact our office today to hold a discussion.

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How to Prepare for Revision Surgery

A well-executed plastic surgery has the potential to give a patient a new and refreshed appearance, as well as to resolve potentially serious medical issues that may have been bothering them. Below, we cover how to prepare for revision surgery.

However, mistakes are bound to be made in this area of medicine, and even an expert surgeon can perform an operation that doesn’t quite stick for one reason or another. When this occurs, you may have to return for revision surgery.

If you’re due to experience a revision plastic surgery procedure and would like to know how to properly prepare for plastic surgery repair, check out this overview that may be of some use.

What Is Revision Surgery?

Revision surgery is any type of plastic surgery that intends to amend some of the results of an initial procedure. In the plastic surgery sphere, a revision procedure is usually executed when a patient is unhappy with the appearance of their initial results.

Why Receive Revision Surgery?

The primary reasons that one engages in revision surgeries are either medical or aesthetic. Sometimes, if a surgery doesn’t go as intended the first time around, a revision surgery becomes a medical necessity due to the hazards that arise.

Other times, revision surgery is executed to give the patient the aesthetic results of a procedure that may have eluded them the first time around. In addition, the recovery period from any procedure is a delicate period where a patient must stay wary of certain indicators that their body has not responded well to the procedure. This includes the danger of infection.

After you receive any type of medical work, your physician will likely schedule a couple of follow-up visits for you to discuss how your recovery period is going. Should anything appear especially awry to them during these visits, then there is a chance that this will be the time that they determine that you should receive revision care.

Most patients who are interested in receiving a revision surgery should qualify for the work, as for the most part, the requirements for such a procedure will be very similar, if not the same as the original requirements for the surgery that one received in the first place.

How to Prepare for Revision Surgery

There are several different steps one might take to properly prepare for a revision procedure. Much of this is dependent on the exact nature of the revision surgery at hand, as there are many different areas of the body that might expect to see this treatment.

However, there are several steps that can be taken that will likely benefit you regardless of the exact type of revision procedure you are to receive. Some of these steps include:

  • Adjust your alcohol intake for several weeks prior to your procedure
  • Quit smoking for several weeks before your procedure
  • Adjust any herbal supplements or over-the-counter medications you use
  • Consult with your doctor about whatever prescription medications that you might use

Depending on your personal medical situation, there’s some chance that your physician may have additional advice regarding how you prepare for your procedure. In addition, it must be noted again that there will be a wide variety of possible preparatory steps depending on the exact type of procedure you’re going to take part in.

Recovering from Revision Surgery

The recovery period for a revision procedure will likely look similar to the recovery period from your initial procedure. There may be additional considerations at play depending on how your initial revision procedure has impacted you.

That being said, there are certain steps that you can take to improve your situation regarding having a successful recovery period. Some of these steps include:

  • Refraining from engaging in overly strenuous activities for the first several weeks following your procedure
  • Refrain from imbibing alcohol or smoking
  • Receive plenty of rest
  • Make arrangements for a family member or friend to assist with daily activities while you recover

Your physician will likely have additional steps for you to take in terms of handling your recovery period. Following this advice to the highest degree will represent your best shot in terms of having a healthy and safe recovery period.

The Revision Expert of Beverly Hills

Dr. Chiu and the rest of the team at Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc run the best cosmetic surgery center in Beverly Hills. If you’re interested in discussing your upcoming revision procedure with Dr. Chiu, contact our office today to have a conversation.

How to Prepare for Cheek Lift Surgery

A cheek lift, or a midface lift as it’s also known, is a type of cosmetic surgery that attempts to add a sense of lift and youthfulness to the cheeks and midface region. With the right surgical touch, this procedure has the potential to offer a patient stunning results. Below, we cover how to prepare for cheek lift surgery.

However, proper preparation is key for anyone interested in maximizing the results they will receive from their cheek lift. Failing to attend to this has the potential to compromise your results.

How to Prepare for Cheek Lift Surgery

If you’re thinking about receiving this type of surgery, take a look at this guide that can help you take the necessary steps to prepare for it.

What Happens During a Cheek Lift?

During a cheek lift, your physician will reposition a set of pads in your cheeks known as the malar pads. In addition, the skin surrounding these pads will be tightened. Prior to any of the actual surgical work being done, you will be placed under general anesthesia.

Once the patient is put under, your physician will make incisions in the cheeks, and use a small endoscopic camera to observe the details of this area of your body. Following this, they will reposition the malar pads and skin of the cheeks to enliven and refresh this area of the body. Most cheek lifts can be completed in just about two hours.

Who Makes a Good Candidate for a Cheek Lift?

Most healthy patients who are interested in receiving a cheek lift should find themselves approved to receive this work. In particular, your physician will look for the following qualities in a patient:

  • Individuals with sagging or heavy looking cheeks
  • The skin under the eyes appears baggy
  • You are a generally healthy individual
  • You have no chronic health conditions
  • You are not a current smoker
  • You have a realistic set of expectations surrounding your procedure

Most individuals who decide to pursue this type of procedure are between the ages of 40 and 50. However, anyone over the age of 18 can decide to receive a cheek lift.

Benefits of a Cheek Lift

There are many well-documented benefits that can be incurred from a cheek lift procedure. This includes some of the following:

  • Quick procedure and recovery period
  • A cheek lift is a relatively safe procedure
  • A cheek lift can provide a patient with a massive self-esteem boost
  • There is a low chance of visible scarring
  • A cheek lift offers immediate and long-lasting results

The results from a cheek lift tend to be long-lasting, with most patients enjoying their results for about 10 years.

How to Prepare for a Cheek Lift Surgery

There are several preparatory steps one can take to get ready for their cheek lift. Some of the preparations include the following steps:

  • Undergo a physical exam from your physician
  • Adjust any supplements or over-the-counter medications you’re taking
  • Adjust your alcohol intake
  • If you smoke, quit smoking for several weeks leading up to the procedure

In addition, part of your preparation process should include discussing with your doctor their own qualifications for performing the surgery. In general, you should look for a board-certified surgeon who displays the following qualities:

  • They operate in an accredited surgical facility
  • They have privileges to operate in a hospital
  • They have successfully performed a cheek lift in the past
  • They have a plan for a surgical emergency
  • They have an accredited surgical staff

After Your Procedure

The time after your cheek lift procedure is just as important as the time leading up to it. Once your surgery is complete, your surgical site will be dressed with various bandages, and a small tube may be placed under your cheeks to drain excess fluid.

You’ll then be moved to a recovery room, where you’ll wait for your anesthetic to wear off. Following this, you should arrange for someone to help drive you home safely, as there’s a very strong chance that you will feel excessively groggy in the first 24 hours following your procedure.

In addition, your surgeon will give you a set of personal guidelines for how to handle your surgical recovery period. Ultimately, following these guidelines to the letter is in your own best interest.

The Top Option in Beverly Hills

Dr. Brent and the rest of the team at his office are considered one of the best medical teams working today in Southern California. If you’re interested in discussing whether or not a cheek lift would work for you, contact Dr. Brent today to go over some of the details and find out why he’s the best plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.

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The Rise of Post-Pandemic Plastic Surgery: A Conversation with Dr. Chiu

Numerous changes have occurred in the world over the past few years. Employers are more willing and able to accommodate remote and hybrid work schedules. Online shopping and delivery services for both goods and services are significantly more widespread. And globally, but especially in the United States of America, people are getting more plastic surgery.

This last point may come as a shock or seem unrelated to these other post-pandemic changes, but research published by the National Library of Medicine proves that there has indeed been a significant rise in cosmetic plastic surgery procedures over the past few years.

A Post-Pandemic Increase in Plastic Surgery

In fact, during a conversation with Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc.’s board-certified surgeon, Dr. Gabriel Chiu, and New York-based board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. David Shafer, the New York Post referenced a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). From the report, they shared that the “overall demand for cosmetic procedures increased by 5 percent in 2023 over the previous year, with requests for minimally invasive work jumping 7 percent.”

Reasons For the Increase

There are a number of reasons for this uptick in the popularity of plastic surgery procedures. The New York Post notes that the “upward trend comes as Americans seek to speedily shed pandemic-induced pudge, with an increasing number vying for GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to help them along.”

Another likely reason for this development is that most elective surgeries were canceled during the pandemic to stop any inessential spreading of germs and that people are now having the surgeries that were postponed because of social distancing requirements. Dr. D. Nepogodiev, with the National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery, estimated that approximately 28 million aesthetic plastic surgery procedures were canceled worldwide.

Unfortunately, these reasons alone do not explain why plastic surgery interest now is not only rebounding but exceeding pre-pandemic levels. One potential reason for this could be that patients in the post-pandemic have more time at home to recover from a procedure. This additional recovery time is likely the effect of the aforementioned increase in remote work and video conferencing options available to today’s workforce. Another reason is that people in the post-pandemic world see themselves on camera more often—whether this is due to video conferencing or the increased use of apps such as TikTok—and therefore have more opportunity to find aspects of their appearance that they would like to alter or enhance.

A Shift in the Type of Procedures Requested

Interestingly, post-pandemic cosmetic plastic surgery trends have also shown that the type of procedures requested has changed post-pandemic. While speaking to the New York Post and Dr. Chiu, Dr. Shafer said that patients’ aesthetic desires have shifted toward cosmetic procedures that make them appear “athletic and slender.” In contrast, Dr. Shafer says, the popular plastic surgery procedures of the recent past tended towards “over-exaggerated features.” Dr. Chiu emphasized this point by saying, “As plastic surgery practices opened up again [after the lockdowns], requests for a natural-looking but athletic contouring were the norm.” The New York Post aptly describes this influx of similar requests as a desire for a naturally lean-looking “athletic physique like that of a dancer.”

In 2023, the most popular cosmetic procedure for achieving this dancer’s physique was liposuction. Dr. Chiu verified this point by saying, “Liposuction is the backbone of this trend, which is also seen in the fact that for the last couple of years, it has been the most popular surgical procedure of all.” Luckily, as the New York Post reminded readers, liposuction is far from the only cosmetic procedure available to help patients achieve the body they want. In order of popularity in 2023, the five most popular cosmetic procedures were Liposuction; Breast Augmentation; Tummy Tuck, also called an Abdominoplasty; Breast Lift, also called a Mastopexy; and Eyelid Surgery, also called Blepharoplasty.

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc.

Though we cannot yet know whether this steady rise in plastic surgery interest will remain over the coming years, readers can rest easy knowing that Dr. Gabriel Chiu of Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Inc. has the experience and knowledge necessary to meet your cosmetic surgery needs.

concept for guide to brazilian butt lift procedure

Guide to the Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure

Butt enhancement is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures across the globe, and millions of people are seeking to enhance the look of their backsides through a variety of groundbreaking augmentation methods. Below, we factor out our guide to the Brazilian butt lift procedure.

Brazilian butt lifts, also known as BBLs, are one of the most popular types of methods available to create a pronounced and voluminous backside. There are many advantages to getting this type of butt enhancement, but many patients are unsure how to start, or even what the procedure entails.

Guide to the Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure

You can read through this short guide to the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure to familiarize yourself with the entire process from beginning to end.

What Is a BBL?

A Brazilian butt lift is a surgical augmentation procedure that uses natural fat from the body to create implants. This is an alternative to using silicone or disc implants. In a typical BBL procedure, the plastic surgeon uses liposuction to remove the fat from the stomach or waist and then injects it into the patient. This creates a natural augmentation in the butt that will lift in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Dr. Chiu, a renowned Board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, makes a surgical incision either above or below the buttocks muscle to create a pocket where the harvested fat will be inserted. Then, Dr. Chiu double-checks the size of the butt cheeks to make sure the size looks natural.

Who Qualifies for a BBL?

Many types of patients would make excellent candidates for our simple and successful Brazilian butt lift procedure. The best candidates for this procedure usually have:

  • A suitable amount of fat available in the stomach, hips, lower back, and waist; there must be enough fat available for liposuction to remove so it can be re-inserted into the buttocks area.
  • A good bill of health, with no underlying medical issues or chronic conditions
  • Healthy eating and exercise habits, refraining from smoking or drinking too much
  • Good expectations of what the surgery entails and what results may look like
  • Missing fat or a lack of volume in the buttocks region

A Brazilian butt augmentation uses the patient’s fat harvested from other parts of their body, using it to form a bigger and more rounded backside for a more aesthetically pleasing look.

What Is the Recovery Process Like?

After you undergo a Brazilian butt lift procedure, it can take a few weeks to recover fully. Dr. Chiu would suggest not sitting fully on your butt for two weeks, though this time may vary depending on how big your BBL is. You might be asked to wear a compression garment around your backside for a few weeks, which helps to keep the harvested fat in place.

No Sitting

The most difficult part of recovery is not being able to sit. You should avoid prolonged sitting, especially on one side of your body, as this can shift the fat around and create some major asymmetry. There are BBL pillows you can buy to help you relax in several comfortable positions without compromising your results. After about six weeks, you can resume sitting normally.

Are BBLs More Popular Than Implants?

A Brazilian butt lift is a great alternative if you do not want silicone implants. BBLs are natural butt augmentations that take from existing fat in a less invasive procedure. While the butt may be able to be shaped more precisely with a butt implant than with a BBL, Brazilian butt lifts often feel and look more natural. Ultimately, the choice of method and procedure is totally up to you.

How Long Do BBL Results Last?

One of the risks of a BBL procedure is that the body will naturally reabsorb some of the fat that is injected into it. That is why our surgical team uses a precise method to make sure as much fat is retained as possible. Despite the possibility of some fat loss, BBLs are still an incredibly successful procedure. At least 60% of the fat injected into the butt will stay in place for a nice, rounded look.

You can enjoy the results for many years before some of the fat starts to get absorbed due to age. While the natural signs of aging cannot be avoided indefinitely, BBLs can help you reshape and restructure your body for a look that lasts for decades.

Get a Personalized BBL in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery, Inc. offers the most luxurious methods for a butt lift in LA. Enjoy the rest of your life with a BBL that perfectly suits you when you contact us today.